Collator



Sept. 9, 1969 c. H. HEIGL. f 3,466,026

COLLATOR Filed July 26. 1967 `4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NVENTOR. CARL H. HE/,GL

ATURNEYS Sept. 9, 1969 c. H. HEIGL 3,466,026

coLLAToR Filed July ze, 1967 4 sheetsfsneei a INVENTOR. CA RL H. HE/GL MMM?? C. H. HEIGL sept. 9, 1969 COLLATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 26, 1967 INVENTDR. CAI/ H. H/GL Arme/Veys Sept. 9, 1969 c. H. HEIGL 3,466,026

common Filed July 26, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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United States Patent O ice U.S. Cl. 270--58 15 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE I The collating machine for feeding and grouping signatures to form a pack has a plurality of spaced feeding units which are adapted to feed signatures one at a time to associated signature receiving stations. The signatures are then gathered and grouped by a conveyor means to form packs for delivery to a suitable binding or stapling station where the packs are bound or stapled together to form a book. A detector mechanism is provided at each of the feeding units for detecting when no or more than one signature is being fed and which is operable to stop the machine when either of these conditions is detected. The machine also includes control means for automatically sequentially actuating the feeding units for initial pack formation, the control means being also operatively connected with the detector mechanisms to render the detector mechanismsV at the feeding units not yet or not to 'be placed in operation ineffective to stop the machine.

The present invention relates to a collating apparatus or'mafchine for feeding or grouping sheets or sheet-like articles to form apack, and more particularly to a signature collating machine having a plurality of spaced signature feeding units and in which either some or all of the feeding units can be automatically, sequentially actuated to provide for initial pack formation.

`In U.S.` Patent No. 2,634,972, a sheet collating machine for `feeding and grouping sheets to form a pack isj disclosed-This machine includes a plurality of feeding units for feeding sheets one at a time to a signature conveyor, the conveyorbeing advanced in timed relation with the feeding units so 'that the sheets of the succeeding feeding units are deposited on top of the sheets from the preceding units. The "machine also includes a detector mechanism for detec'tingwhen no sheet is being fed by any ofthe feeding units and which is operable tol stop the machine when'such a condition is detected, and a control means for automatically, sequentially actuating the feeding units to provide for initial pack formation.

Although the collating machine disclosed in U.S. Patent No.V l2,634,972 provides for automatically, sequentially actuatingthe feeding units for initial pack formation,y yit is subject to a number of disadvantages. The disadvantages are that the detector mechanisms for thefeeding units cannot be rendered inoperable independently of Aeach other and must all be manually rendered inoperativen during thesequencing operation for initial pack formation sthat stoppage of the machine does not occur. Therefore, the detector mechanisms cannot be rendered operative until all the units are placed `in operation and thus, the rst few packs which are formed havel to be manually checked, lsince the absence of a sheet from any of the packs will not have been detected. Moreover, no provisionis made for operating only some of 'the feeding units without rendering the "detector mechanisms forv all the lunits inoperative. Additionally,-` this machine is of. a

` relatively Complex` construction.

Accordinglypit `is an important object of the present invention to` provide a new and improved collating 43,466,026 Patented Sept. 9, 1969 machine or apparatus for feeding and grouping signatures to form a pack, and which is of a relatively simple and practical construction and which overcomes the above noted disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved collating apparatus for feeding and grouping signatures to form a pack, and in which the feeding units thereof are automatically, sequentially actuated for initial pack formation, and which includes individual detector mechanisms associated with each of the feeding units for detecting when no and/ or more than one sheet is fed thereby and which is operable to stop the operation of the apparatus when such a condition is detected, and wherein the detector mechanisms are automatically rendered inoperative to effect stoppage of the apparatus when its associated sheet feeding unit has not been actuated, but which are automatically rendered operative when its associated sheet feeding unit is actuated.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved collating apparatus, as defined in the next preceding object, and wherein certain ones of the feeding units can be actuated while others are not actuated so that jobs requiring different numbers of signatures to be formed in a pack can be run on the apparatus and so that while one job is being run, another job can be set up by placing signatures in the magazines of the nonactuated feeding units.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved collating apparatus for feeding and grouping signatures to form a pack, and in which the feeding units each include a vacuum operated suction means for removing sheets from a magazine, and wherein the detector mechanisms` each include an actuating element operatively associated with a control element for effecting stoppage of` the apparatus and means is actuated and wherein the detector mechanism is automatically rendered inoperative when the feeding unit is not actuated. c

Another object of the present'invention is to provide a new and improvedcollating apparatus, as dened in the next preceding object, and including a vacuum operated means operatively connected with the `actuating element of` each of the detector mechanisms for holding the same in its normal position when a vacuum pressure is applied thereto, and wherein said control means includes a twoposition control valve for e'ach of the feeding units-forselectively communicating either the suction means Ior the vacuum operated means thereof with a vacuum source.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide anew and improved collating apparatus for feeding and grouping Asignatures to form a pack and which includes a detector mechanism associated with each of the'feeding units for detecting when no or more "than yponeysheet is being fed by thefeeding unit andA which is operable to stop operation of the apparatus when such a` condition( is detected, and fa vacuumf operated means operatively The present invention also resides in certain novel constructions and arrangements of parts, and other objects, novel characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the following detailed description and in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a signature collating apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, schematic side elevational view of part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic View illustrating the vacuum control system for the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic electrical control diagram for controlling lthe operation of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

Although the novel collating apparatus of the present invention could be employed for feeding and grouping various kinds of sheet or sheet-like articles, it is particularly useful for feeding and grouping what are commonly known as signatures, and for the purposes of illustration is herein shown and described as being used for that purpose.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an illustrated embodiment of a signature collating apparatus or machine is there shown, and generally designated by reference numeral 10. The collating apparatus 10 comprises an elongated, horizontally disposed planar table 11 which is supported by a suitable frame means (not shown). Disposed above, but at spaced longitudinal locations along the table 11 are a plurality of feeding units, only two of which are shown in FIG. 1 and designated generally by reference numerals 12 and 13. The feeding units 12, 13 are each operable to feed signatures one at a time from a feeding station A to a receiving station B located immediately above the table 11. The signatures fed to the receiving stations B are supported on trays 14, 15 carried by the table 11.

The signatures at the receiving stations B are adapted to be removed from the trays 14, 15 onto the table 11 and then moved along the table 11 by an endless conveyor 16. The conveyor 16 is provided with upwardly extending fingers 18 which are movable through a longitudinally extending slot 19 in the table 11 and which engage the signatures at the receiving stations B. The conveyor 16 is advanced in timed relationship with the operation of the feeding units 12, 13 so that the signature at each succeeding receiving station B is moved onto the top of the signature from the preceding receiving station B to form a group or pack of signatures for delivery to a -suitable binding or stapling station, not shown, where the signatures which have been grouped into packs are bound or stapled together to form a book.

Each of the feeding units 12, 13 are of an identical construction and operate in the same manner, and therefore only the feeding unit 12 will be described in detail, and similar reference numerals will be used to designate similar parts of the feeding unit 13. The feeding unit 12 includes a magazine or hopper 20 for supporting a plurality of signatures on their edge. The magazine 20 includes suitable support plates 21, 22 and a pair of spaced endless feed chains 23, 24 on which the signatures are supported. The chains 23, 24 are suitably carried by a pair of side supports 25, 26 which in turn are supported on a pair of support shafts 27, 28 having their opposite ends suitably secured to side frames (not shown). The chains 23, 24 are moved in a direction to urge the signatures toward a forward position against a front plate 29 of the magazine 20.

The feeding unit 12 further includes a signature handling or transfer means 30 which is operable to effect removal or extraction of individual signatures one at a time from the magazine 20 for transfer to the receiving station B. The supply of signatures in the magazine 20 may be replenished upon depletion thereof by an operator standing at a loading station adjacent the machine and located to the right of the magazine 20, as viewed in FIG. 2.

The signature transfer means 30 includes a pair of suction members 31 supported adjacent the front plate 29 of the magazine 20. The suction members 31 are intermittently connected to a vacuum source and movable toward the magazine 20 into engagement with the forwardmost signature and away from the magazine to draw a portion of the signature out of the magazine 20. The suction members 31 are oscillatable about a shaft 32 on which they are mounted. The shaft 32 is connected via a suitable linkage mechanism 33 to a cam controlled sucker operating shaft 34. The shaft 34 is oscillated in timed relationship with the operation of the collating apparatus 10 and actuates the linkage mechanism 33 to move the sucker members 31 into engagement with the forwardmost signature in the magazine and to pull at least the lower edge portion of the signature out of the magazine 20.

The sucker operating shaft 34 also carries a lever 35 for operating a two-position, spring biased valve 36 for controlling communication between the sucker members 31 and a vacuum source (see FIGS. 2 and 5). The Valve 36, which can be of any suitable or conventional construction, is spring biased toward a first position in which it places the sucker members 31 in communication with the vacuum source by a spring 36a.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the outlets of the valve 36 communicate with the sucker members 31 via flexible conduits 37 and the inlet of the valve 36 communicates with a conduit 38, the conduit 38 in turn communicating with a vacuum conduit 39 via a valve means 40 and a conduit 41. The reasons for providing the valve .means 40 will be described hereinafter. The vacuum conduit 39, which is common to all of the feeding units 12, 13, has its opposite ends Xed to the side frames (not shown) of the machine and is in communication with a vacuum pump 42 via a conduit 43. As shown in FIG. 2, the valve 36 has its body portion 44 clamped to the conduit 39 s0 as to be supported in a xed position.

The valve 36 is movable from its lirst position, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 5, toward a second position, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 5, and in opposition to the biasing force of the spring 36a by the lever 35 whose free end engages the valve stem 36b when the shaft 34 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 45 in FIG. 5. When the valve 36 is moved to its second position the sucker members 31 are vented to the atmosphere and release the signature. The shaft 34 is oscillated in timed relationship with the operation of the collating machine 10 and moves the lever 3S in the direction of the arrow 45 to engage and move the valve 36 toward its second position to effect a release of the signature gripped by the sucker members 31 after the latter have pulled at least the lower edge portion of the signature out of the magazine 20.

The signatures which are taken or extracted from the magazine 20 by the suction members 31 are picked up by a rotary transfer drum means 48. The transfer drum is xed on a shaft 51 rotatably supported by the side frames (not shown) and is rotatable in a predetermined timed relationship with the movement of the conveyor 16. The transfer drum carries at diametrically opposite locations gripper members 52 and 53, which are adapted to grip the lower end of a signature which has been extracted from the magazine 20 by the sucker members 31 and in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The gripper members 52, 53 are operated at predetermined times during the rotation of the drum means 48 to grip the signatures extracted by the sucker members 31 and to thereafter release signatures by a cam means or gap between the roller 105 and the screw 107 on the periphery of the drum is such that the signature will pass therebetween without effecting movement of the trip means 72 toward its tripped position.

The trip member 80 and the trip means 72 are each operatively connected with the actuating means 74 for actuating the control element 75 and are operable to effect movement of the actuating means to actuate the control element 75 when either are moved toward their tripped positions. The actuating means 74 comprises spring biased catch member 110 operatively associated with the control element 75 and a cooperable latch member 111 connected with the detecting means 71 and 72 and releasably connected to the catch member 110. The catch member 110 is pivotally mounted on a support rod 112 for movement in opposite directions between a first position, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 4, in which it does not engage the control element 75 and a second position, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 4, in which it actuates the control element 75. The catch member 110 is ibiased toward its second position by a compression spring 114 having one end in abutting engagement with the support shaft 27 for supporting the sides 25, 26 and the other end in abutting engagement with the downwardly extending leg portion 116 on the catch member 110. A suitable dowel pin 117 carried by the leg portion 116 adn extending through the spring is provided to guide the same to prevent the same from becoming disengaged from the catch member 110.

The catch member 110 is normally held in its first position in which it does not engage the control element 75 by the latch member 111. The latch member 111 is connected or secured at its forward end, i.e., its end adjacent the transfer drum 48, to the lower end of the left leg of the H-shaped member 100 and is connected intermediate its ends to the upper part of the right leg of the H-shaped member 100 by suitable screws or bolts 118, 119. The trip member is also connected to the latch member 111. To this end, the trip member 80 at its rearward end 120 is bifurcated to provide a slot 121 which slidably receives the bolt 119.

The latch member 111 is movable from a first or normal position, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 4, in which its rearward end 122 cooperably engages an abutment 123 on the upper side of the catch member 110 to hold the catch member 110 in its first position in opposition to the biasing force of the spring 114 and a second or release position, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 4, in which releases its engagement with the catch member 110 to allow the latter to be moved by the spring 114 toward its second position in which it actuates the control element 75. The latch member 111 is biased downwardly toward its normal position due to the fact that the major portion of the mass of the trip means 72 and the latch member 111 is located on the the side of the shaft 101 adjacent the catch member 110.

The latch member 111 is movable from its normal position toward its release position in response to movement of either the trip means 71 or a trip member 80 from its normal position to its tripped position. As best shown in FIG. 3 when the trip member 80 is moved in the direction of the arrow 84 upon being tripped its rearward end 120 is moved upwardly in a counterclockwise direction. Movement of the rearward end of the trip member in this direction causes the member to be moved upwardly in a counterclockwise direction which in turn effects movement of the latch member 111 upwardly from its normal position toward its release position. Likewise, when the trip means 71 is moved in the direction of the arrow 108 upon being tripped, the member 100 thereof is moved upwardly in a counterclockwise direction which in turn eEects movement of a latch member 111 upwardly from its normal position toward its release position.

As previously mentioned, when the catch member is released for movement toward its second position it actuates the control element 75. To this end, the catch member 110 includes an elongated, flat rearwardly extending part or strip-like member which is slidably received in a slot 131 in the rearward wall 132 of a bracket 133 secured to the support shaft 28 for supporting the side supports 25, 26. The elongated part 130 is movable within the vertically extending slot 131 between a first position in which its rearward end 135 is disposed at the bottom of the slot portion 131 and a second position in which its rearward end 135 is in engagement with the bracket 133 at the upper end of the slot 131 when the catch member 110 is moved between its first and second positions. The engagement between the member 130 and the bracket 133 at the upper end of the slot 131 provides a stop for positioning the catch member 110 in its second position. The elongated member 130 carries a cam portion 138 intermediate its ends which is adapted to engage a trip member 13-9 on the control element 7.5 in response to movement of the catch member 110 from. its first position toward its second position. The control element 75, in the illustrated embodiment, is a trip switch which is normally closed and which is movable from its closed position to an open position when the carn portion 138 on the member 130 engages the trip member 139.

The switch 75 is in an electric circuit with the drive motors (not shown) for the drive means for the collating machine and effects deenergiaztion of the same to stop the machine. The electric switch 75 also is an electric circuit with the indicator light 140, which is carried by the support bracket 132 to provide a visual indication to the operator to enable him to readily locate at which feeding station no or more than one signature has been fed. After the operator makes the necessary addition or deletion to the signatures grouped on the tray adjacent this feed station, the detector mechanism can be reset by grasping the end 135 of the part 130 and returning the catch member 110 to its first position. The latch member 111, since it is biased downwardly will engage the abutment. on the catch member upon the latter being returned to its first position.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a selectively operable vacuum actuated means is provided at each of the feeding units 12, 13 for holding the catch members 110 of their associated detector mechanisms 70 in their first position, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 4, and thereby render the detector mechanisms 70 ineffective to stop the operation of the colla'ting machine 10. Since the vacuum actuated means at each of the feeding units 12, 13 is of an identical construction, only the vacuum actuated means for the feeding unit 12 will be described in detail. The vacuum actuated means comprises, in the illustrated embodiment, a vertically disposed vacuum operated fluid motor 150. The Huid motor comprises a cylinder 151 which is mounted on a support 152 extending' transversely of the sides 25, 26. The cylinder 151 has an open upper end 153 and slidably receives a piston-154. The piston 154 `is in the form of an inverted cup and is connected to a piston rod 155 which extends through the open end 153. The piston rod 155 at its upper end is bifurcated and pivotally connected to the element 130 of the catch member 110. The piston rod 155 is pivotally connected to the element 130 by a pin and slot connection, as indicated by reference numberal 1.57 in FIG. 4, so as to enable the element 130 t`o move in an arcuate path between its solid and dotted line positions.

The piston 154 defines with the lower end 158 of the cylinder 151 a vacuum chamber 160 which is connected with the valve 40 (see FIG. 5) by a conduit 161. The piston 154 also defines with the cylinder an open end chamber 162 at the upper end of the latter which is in communication with the atmosphere.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that when it is desired to hold the catch memebr 110 in its normal or first position, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 4, a vacuum is applied to the chamber to hold the piston 55 which is supported on the shaft S1 and held against rotation with the shaft 51. Suitable cam follower members 57, 58 rotate on the cam 55 as the transfer drum 48 is rotated and the follower members 57, 58 are operatively connected through suitable mechanisms 60 and 61, respectively, to the gripper members 52, 53 so as t0 control the opening and closing of the gripper members as desired.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the gripper members 52, 53 carry the signatures downwardly and away from the magazine 20, as indicated by the arrow 67 in FIG. 2, toward a signature receiving or release station B located immediately above the trays 14, where the grippers are opened to release the signatures. The signatures which are released by the grippers settle onto the conveyor trays. The upwardly projecting ngers 18, as the conveyor 16 is advanced, are operable to engage the signatures on the trays for delivery to the stapling station not shown.

The various drives of the chains 23, 24, conveyor 16 and the drum 48 and for oscillating the shaft 34 can be of any suitable construction, and since they do not per se form a part of the present invention have not been illustrated and described in detail.

Since the signatures fed by the feeding units 12, 13 from the feeding stations A to the receiving stations B are successively gathered and grouped on the table 12 in response to movement of the conveyor 16 and then delivered to a suitable binding or stapling station where the grouped signatures are formed into a book, it is important that only one signature at a time be fed from each of the feeding stations A to the associated receiving stations B. If no signature is fed from the feeding stations A, this signature will be missing from the pack which is to be formed, and if more than one signature is fed, the pack form would have duplicate signatures therein. To prevent this from occurring, a detector mechanism 70 is provided at each of the feeding units 12, 13 for detecting when no and more than one signature is being transferred by the transfer drum means 48. The detector mechanisms 70 are each operable to actuate a control element for stopping operation of the signature collating machine 10 and to provide a visual indication at its associated feeding station when no or more than one signature has been transferred by the transfer drum means 48 thereat. By automatically stopping operation of the collating machine and by providing a visual indication at which feeding station no or more than one signature was fed, the operator can readily make the necessary signature addition or deletion and reset the detector mechanism at that station and restart the machine. Since the detector mechanism 70 for each of the feeding units 12, 13 is of an identical construction and operates in the same manner, only the detector mechanism 70 for the feeding unit 12 will be described in detail, and similar reference numerals are used to designate corresponding parts of the detector mechanism for each of the feeding units.

The detector mechanism 70 is supported by and between the side supports 25, 26 at the feeding station 12 and comprises, in general, first and second detecting means 71, 72 cooperatively associated with the transfer drum means 48 for detecting when no and more than one signature is being transferred by the transfer drum 48 between the feeding station A and the receiving station B. As best shown in FIG. 3, the first and second detecting means 71 and 72 are operatively connected with a common actuating means 74 for actuating a control element 75 and are operable to effect movement of the actuating means 74 to actuate the control element 75. The control element is operable to stop the operation of the signature collating machine and to provide a visual indication at the feeding station so that the operator can readily determine at which feeding station no or more than one signature has been fed.

, The rst detecting means 71 for detecting when no sheet is being transferred by the transfer drum 48 comprises a trip member which is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to a support rod or shaft 81 extending generally parallel to the rotational axis of the drum 48 and having its opposite ends secured to the sidesupports 25, 26. The trip member 80 at its forward end is provided with a cam portion 82 disposed adjacent the periphery 83 of the transfer drum 48. .y

The trip member 80 is adapted to be engaged by and moved in the direction of the arrow 84 from a normal position, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 3, to a tripped position by a cam means 85 carried by the transfer drum 48 when no signature is being conveyed thereby. The cam means 85 comprises a member 86 which is pivotally connected intermediate its ends by a pivot pin means 87 to a radially extending wall 88 of the transfer drum 48. The member 86 at its lower end, as viewed in FIG. 3, includes a radially extending, outwardly projecting cam portion 90 which extends through a slot 91 in the outer periphery of the transfer drum 48 and is located radially outwardly thereof. The member 86 at its upper end carries a weight 92 and is shaped such that the weight 92 biases or tends to move the lower cam portion 90 radially outwardly from the periphery 83 of the transfer drum 48 to the position shown in FIG. 3.

The cam portion 90 is adapted to be moved toward and into engagement with the periphery 83 of the drum 48 in opposition to the biasing force of the weighted end 92 by the signature when the latter is gripped by the grippers 0n the drum 48. The cam portion 82 of the trip member 80 is positioned relative to the cam portion 90 so as to have its forwardmost end spaced therefrom, when the cam portion 90 is in engagement with the periphery 83, a distance greater than the thickness of a signature to be transferred by the transfer drum 48.

When a signature is gripped by the grippers 52, 53 on the transfer drum 48, the signature engages and moves the cam portion 90 of the member 86 toward the drum 48 and prevents the same from engaging the trip member 80. However, when no signature is gripped by the grippers 52, 53 upon rotation of the transfer drum 48, the cam portion 90 will be biased outwardly away from the periphery 83 due to the weighted end 92 and will engage the cam portion 82 on the trip member l80 and move the latter. in the direction of the arrow 84 from its normal position to its tripped position.

The second detecting means 72 for detecting when more than one signature is being conveyed by the transfer drum 48 is in the form of a trip means and comprises a generally H-shaped member which is rotatably journalled at the upper end of its leftmost leg,`as viewedin FIG. 3, on a support shaft 101 disposed generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum 48. The H-shaped niember 100 carries a rod 102 which is slidably received Vinan` opening 103 extending through the legs and cross piece of the H-shaped member. The rod 102 at its forward end, i.e., the end adjacent the periphery 83 of' thel drum 48 rotatably supports a roller 105. The rod 102 is adjustaiblyv positionable relative to the member 100 toward and from the periphery 83 of the drum k48 and is. adapted tobe clamped in its adjusted position by a thumb screw 106. The rod 102 is positioned relative to the member 100 such that the distance or gap between the periphery of the` roller 105 and a reference screw 107 carried by the transl fer drum 48 is at least as great as the thickness of one signature but less than the thickness of two signaturesw'.

The trip means 72 is adapted to 'be moved about the axis of the shaft 101 in the direction of the arrow 108 from a normal position, as shown in the solid linesof FIG. 3, to a tripped position when more than one signa# ture is being transferred by the transfer drum 48. When more than one signature is being transferred by the transfer drum 48 the thickness of the plural signatures will be4 such that the signatures `will engage the roller 105 and move the trip means 72 in the direction of the arrow 108 toward its tripped position. When only one signature is being transferred by the transfer drum means 48 the space 154 in its lower position, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 4, in which the rim 163 thereof is in abutting engagement with the end 158 of the cylinder 151. The vacuum pressure applied is such that it will hold the catch member 110 in its normal or first position even though the trip means 71 or 72 are tripped and the latch member 111 is moved to its second position as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 4. By holding the catch member 110 in its first position movement thereof to its second position, as indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 4, is prevented and thus, the control element 75 will not be actuated.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a novel control means or system is provided for automatically, sequentially actuating all or only certain ones of the feeding units for initial pack formation, actuation of the feeding units being effected by connecting the respective sucker members 31 thereof with the vacuum pump 42. The novel control system is also effective to automatically actuate the vacuum operated fluid motors 150 of the respective detector mechanisms for the feeding units which have not as yet or will not be placed in operation so as to render these detector mechanisms ineffective to stop operation of the collating machine and to automatically deactuate the vacuum operated fluid motors when the associated feeding unit is actuated. To this end, the novel control means includes a plurality of valve means 40, one for each of the feeding units 12, 13 which are selectively operable to either communicate the fluid motors 150 or the sucker members 31 of the respective feeding units 12, 13 with the vacuum pump 42.

Since the valve means 40 for each of the feeding units 12, 13 are of an identical construction, only the valve means 40 for the feeding unit 12 will be described. The valve means 40 is a two-position valve means which can be of any suitable and conventional construction and is shown in FIG. as comprising a valve housing 170 in which a valve member 172 is slidably received. The valve member 172 is movable between first and second positions. When in its first position, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 5, it blocks communication between lconduits 38 and 41 to render the sucker members 31 inoperative, but unblocks communication between conduits 41 and 161 to actuate the fluid motor 150 to render the detector mechanism 70 ineffective to stop the machine 10. When in its second position, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 5, it blocks communication between conduits 41 and 161 to render the detector mechanism operable to stop the machine in the event no or more than one signature is fed by the associated feeding unit, but permits communication between conduits `41 and 38 to render the sucker members 31 operable. The valve member 172 is biased to its second position, i.e., toward the right as viewed in FIG. 5, by a compression spring having one end in abutting engagement with the housing 17 0 and the other end in abutting engagement with the valve member 172. The valve member 172 is moved from its second` position toward its first positionin opposition to its biasing force of the spring 17,3 by a solenoid 175 when the solenoid 175 is energized. From the foregoing, it should be apparent `that by controlling energization of the solenoid 175 that the operation of the sucker members 31 of the feeding unit 12 and the associated detector mechanism 70 for the feeding unit 12 can be controlled.

The operation of the control system for automatically, sequentially actuating the feeding units and for automatically rendering the associated detector mechanism op erable when `the feeding unit is actuated will best be understood from a description of the schematic circuit diagram shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the control `system includes a plurality of manually operable switches 180, one for each feeding unit. The collating machine 10, in` the preferred embodiment, has twenty-one feeding units. Flfhe manually operable switches 180 are movable between olf and on positions, `as shown Vby the solid and dotted lines in FIG. 6, and with the number of switches 180 being moved from their off position to their on position being dependent upon the number of feeding units to be sequentially placed into operation. The control system also includes a cam actuated pulse switch 182 for intermittently actuating a sequencer solenoid 190 which in turn sequentially controls actuation of switches 192-1, 192-2, etc. located in separate circuits for controlling energization and de-energization of the solenoids 175 of each of the feeding units.

When the parallel power conductors L1 and L2 are connected to a suitable power source by closing switch 195 and the switches are on their off position, circuits for energizing the solenoids 175 of each of the associated feeding units 1-21 are completed. Since the circuits for the solenoids 175 of each of the feeding units are identical only the circuits A and B for the rst two feeding units, respectively, and the circuit U for the twenty-first feeding unit is shown in FIG. 6, and only the circuit A Will be described in detail. Circuit A is from panell power conductor L1 through switch 180, which is normally in the off position, wire 196, solenoid 175 for feeding unit #1 to L2. Energization of the solenoid 175 for the feeding unit #l effects movement of the valve member 172 toward the left to its first position, as viewed in FIG. 5, to block communication between the sucker members 31 and the vacuum pump 42 to render the former ineffective to grip and remove signatures from the magazine 20 and to communicate the fluid rnotor and the vacuum pump 42 to render the detector mechanism ineffective to stop operation of the machine 10.

Assuming that all twenty-one of the feeding stations are to be sequentially placed in operation, the operator will manually move the switches 180 for each of the feeding units from their olf position to their on position, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 6, preferably prior to closing the switch 195. When the switches 1810 are in their on position and the switch 195 is closed, the circuits A, B, etc., are broken, but the solenoids of the feeding units remain energized due to the completion of circuits A', B', etc. The circuits A', B etc., are identical and therefore, only the circuit A will be described in detail. The circuit A is from power conduction L1 through switch 180, wire 198, normally closed switch 192-1, wire 196, solenoid 175 to power conductor L2. Since the solenoids 175 are energized, the sucker members 31 of the feeding units are inoperative to grip the signatures and the detector mechanisms 70 are ineffective to stop operation of the machine 10.

After the switches have been moved to their on position, the operator will depress a push-button switch 200 for a moment. Depression of push-button switch 200 and when normally open pulse switch 182 is in its closed position completes a circuit V for momentarily energizing the sequencer solenoid 190. This circuit is from parallel power conductor L1, push-button switch 200, wire 201, resistor 202, wire 203 through a rectifier bridge 204, wire 205, sequencer solenoid 190, wire 206 (or from rectifier bridge 204, wire 206, sequencer solenoid 190, wire 205), rectifier bridge 204, wire 208, pulse switch 182 to conditetor L2. The pulse switch 182 is spring biased toward an open position and is periodically moved to its closed position in opposition to the spring by a rotary cam member 210, the cam being rotated by a suitable drive motor. If the pulse switch 182 was not in its closed position when the operator depressed the push-button switch 200, he

' would merely again depress the push-button switch to 1 l each of the switches 192-1, 192-2, etc.) a predetermined angular extent each time it is momentarily energized to sequentially cause the cams on the shaft (not shown) to move the switches 192-1, 192-2, etc., to their open position.

Movement of switch 192-1 to its open position breaks the circuit A to cause the solenoid 175 to be deenergized. Deenergization of the solenoid 175 for the first feeding unit allows the spring 173 to move the valve member 172 to its second position in which it communicates the -vacuum pump 42 to the sucker members 31 and in Which it blocks communication between the vacuum pump 42 and the vacuum chamber 160 of the vacuum operated fluid motor 150 so as to render the detector mechanism operable to stop the collating machine if no or more than one signature is fed. The sucker members 31 are now operable to grip and remove a signature from the magazine sheet at the feeding station of the first feeding unit.

When the pulse switch 182 is again closed by the cam 210 the circuit W is again completed for energizing the sequencer solenoid 190 which in turn will effect opening of switch 192-2 in the circuit B to effect de-energization of the solenoid 175 for the second feeding unit. The switch 192-1 in the circuit A remains open so that the solenoid 175 for the first feeding unit remains deenergized and thus, both the first and second feeding units feed a sheet. The third through twenty-first feeding units are then operated in sequence in the same manner as that described for the first two feeding units until all the units are placed in operation. After the last feeding unit is actuated, the sequencer solenoid 190 opens the normally open switch 211 to break the circuit W for the solenoid 190 so that the latter will no longer be energized upon closing of the pulse switch 182.

If less than twenty-one signatures are to be grouped, for example, if only five signatures are to be grouped, the operator would only manually move switches 180 for the first five feeding units to their on position. The sequential operation of these feeding units would be the same as that described above.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that a novel control means or system has been provided for automatically, sequentially actuating the feeding units for initial pack formation. `It should also be apparent that a novel control means has :been provided for automatically rendering the detector mechanisms for the respective feeding units ineffective to stop operation of the machine when they are not yet or will not be placed in operation and for automatically rendering the same operable to detect when no or more than one sheet is being fed when the associated feeding unit is placed in operation. The advantages of novel control means are that the packs formed prior to all of the units operating simultaneously do not have to be checked to determine the absence of a signature or presence of duplicate signatures, since the detector mechanism for each unit is operating whenever a signature is being fed by the units. Moreover, another advantage of the collating machine of the present invention is that while running a particular job o-n less than the twenty-one feeding units, another job can be set up on the remaining units which are not operating so that after the first job is completed the other job can be run right away.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the hereinbefore enumerated objects and others have been accomplished and that a new and improved collating machine for feeding and ygrouping signatures has been provided. Although the illustrated embodiment herein has been described in great detail, it should be apparent that certain modifications, changes, and adaptations may be made in the illustrated embodiment, and that it is intended to cover all such modifications, changes and adaptations which come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An apparatus for feeding and grouping sheets to form a pack comprising a conveyor movable through an endless path, a plurality of sheet feeding units located adjacent to and spaced longitudinally along the conveyor, each of said units including a magazine for holding sheets to be fed and a feeding mechanism for feeding sheets from said magazine to a release location adjacent said conveyor, a detector mechanism operatively associated with said feeding mechanism and operable to detect and actuate a control element when no sheet is being fed by said feeding mechanism from said magazine to said release location, said detector mechanism including a member movable between first and second positions and which actuates said control element when moved from said first position toward said second position, said member being moved from said first position toward said second position when no sheet is being fed by said feeding mechanism, fiuid pressure responsive means connected with said movable member and operable to hold said member in its first position when actuated to thereby render said detector mechanism ineffective to actuate the control element, and selectively operable means for selectively actuating and deactuating said fluid pressure responsive means.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said fiuid pressure responsive means is vacuum operated and operatively connected with a vacuum source, and wherein said selectively operable means includes a valve movable between a first position in which it blocks communication `between the vacuum source and said fluid pressure responsive means and a second position in which it communicates the vacuum source with the fluid pressure responsive means.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said fiuid pressure responsive means comprises a fluid motor having a cylinder and a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder and which divides said cylinder into a pair of chambers, said piston being operatively connected with said movable member, one of said chambers being in communication with the atmosphere and the other of said chambers being in communication with said vacuum source when said valve is moved to its second position.

4. An apparatus for feeding and grouping sheets to form a pack comprising a conveyor movable through a path, a plurality of sheet feeding units located adjacent to and spaced along the path of movement of said conveyor, each of said feeding units including a magazine containing sheets to be fed and a feeding mechanism for feeding sheets from said magazine to a release location adjacent said conveyor, said feeding mechanism including a first means operable to grip said sheets in said magazine and remove the same therefrom when actuated, a detector mechanism operatively associated with said feeding mechanism of each of said feeding units and operable to detect and actuate a control element when no sheet is being fed by said feeding mechanism from said magazine toward said conveyor, power operated means operatively connected Awith said detector mechanism and which is operable to render said detector mechanism ineffective to actuate said `control element when actuated, and control means associated with each of said feeding units for selectively actuating either said first means or said power operated means.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said detector mechanism includes a member movable between first and second positions and which actuates saidv `control element when moved from said first position toward said second position, said member being moved from said first position toward said second position when no sheet is being fed by said feeding mechanism,'and said power operated means when actuated holding said member in said first position to render said detector mechanism ineffective to actuate said control element.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5 and wherein said first means is a suction means connected with a vacuum source via said control means, wherein said power operated means is vacuum operated and connected with said vacuum source via said control means, and wherein said control means includes a valve selectively movable between a first position in which it blocks communication between said suction means and said vacuum source to de-actuate said suction means and communicates said power operated means with said vacuum source to actuate the former and a second position in which it blocks communication between said power operated means and said vacuum source to deactuate said power operated means and communicates said suction means with said vacuum source to actuate said suction means.

7. An apparatus for feeding and grouping sheets to form a pack comprising a conveyor movable through a path, a plurality of sheet feeding units located adjacent to and spaced along the path of movement of said conveyor, each of said feeding units including a magazine for containing sheets to be fed and a feeding mechanism for feeding sheets from said magazine to a release location adjacent said conveyor, said feeding mechanism including a first means operable to grip said sheets in said magazine and remove the same therefrom when actuated, a detector mechanism operatively associated with said feeding mechanism of each of said feeding units and operable to detect and actuate a control element to effect stoppage of the apparatus `when no sheet is being fed by said feeding mechanism from said magazine toward said conveyor, power operated means operatively connected with said detector mechanism and which is operable to render said detector mechanism ineffective to actuate said control element when actuated, and control means for automatically, sequentially actuating said feeding units for initial pack formation, said control means being operatively connected with said first means and said power operated means of said feeding units and being operable to initially actuate said power operated means of `said detector mechanisms to render the latter ineffective to stop operation of the apparatus and then to actuate and deactuate said first means and said power operated means, respectively, of said feeding units in sequence.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said control means includes a control member associated with each of said feeding units for selectively effecting actuation of either said first means or said power operated means of the associated feeding unit, said control member being movable between a first position in which it effects actuation of said power operated means and deactuation of said first means and a second position in which it effects actuation of said first means and deactuation of said power operated means.

9: An apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said control means further includes a biasing means for biasing said control member toward one of its positions and an energizable means operatively connected with said control member for moving said control member toward the other one of said portions when energized.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said control means includes selector means for each unit of said feeding units and which is operable to control whether the asociated feeding unit is to be actuated, whereby some or all of the feeding units can be actuated.

1'1. An apparatus for feeding and grouping sheets to form a pack comprising a conveyor movable through an endless path, a plurality of sheet-feeding units located adjacent to and spaced along the path of movement of thetconveyor, each of said units including a magazine containing sheets to be fed and a feeding mechanism for feeding sheets from said magazine to a release location adjacent said conveyor, said feeding mechanism including vacuum operated suction means operable to grip said sheets in said magazine and remove the same therefrom when actuated, a detector mechanism operatively associated with said feeding mechanism of each of said feeding units and operable to detect and actuate a control element when no sheet is being fed by said feeding mechanism from said magazine to said release location, vacuum operated .means connected with said detector mechanism and operable to render said detector mechanism ineffective to actuate the control element when a vacuum pressure is applied thereto, first means including a control valve associated with each of said feeding units for selectively communicating said sucker means and said vacuum operated means with a vacuum source, said control valve being movable between a first position in which only said suction means is in communication with said vacuum source and a second position in which only said vacuum operated means is in communication with said vacuum source, and control means for automatically, sequentially actuating said sheet feeding units for initial pack formation, said control means being operatively connected with said control valves of said feeding units and being operable to initially effect movement of the control valves toward their second position to render said detector mechanisms and suction means inoperable and then to effect movement of the control valves toward their first position to render the suction means and detector mechanisms of the feeding units operable in sequence.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said detector mechanism includes an actuating member movable between first and second positions and which actuates said control element when moved from said first position toward said second position, said member being moved from said first position toward said second position when no sheet is being fed by said feeding mechanism, and said vacuum operated means when actuated holding said member in said first position to render said detector mechanism ineffective to actuate said control element.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said vacuum operated means comprises a cylinder having a piston slidably received therein and which divides the cylinder into a pair of chambers, said piston being operatively connected with said actuating member, one of said chambers being in communication with the atmosphere and the other of said chambers being in communication with said vacuum source when said valve is in its second position.

14. An apparatus for feeding and grouping sheets to form packs comprising a plurality of spaced sheet feeding units, a conveyor movable through a path adjacent to each of said sheet feeding units, each of said sheet feeding units including a magazine for containing sheets and a feeding mechanism for feeding sheets from said magazine to a release location adjacent. said conveyor, a control mechanism for sequentially actuating the feeding mechanisms of the consecutive feeding units during formation of the initial pack, said control mechanism including a separate electrically actuated device for the feeding mechanism of each of said sheet feeding units and operable when actuated to effect actuation of the feeding mechanism of that unit, and control circuitry for sequentially actuating each of said electrically actuated devices.

15. An apparatus for feeding and gripping sheets to form a pack as defined in claim 14 wherein each of said sheet feeding mechanisms includes vacuum operated sucker means and each of said electrically actuated devices comprises a solenoid valve, and said control circuit includes a manually operable switch in circuit with each of said solenoid valves and actuatable to a position for effecting actuation of a solenoid valve, and a machine controlled timing switch in circuit with each of said manually controlled switches and its associated solenoid valve and actuatable at a predetermined time in the cycle of 15 16 operation of the apparatus to eect actuation of its asso- 3,019,012 1/ 1962 Sanford 270-58 ciated solenoid valve. 3,175,821 3/ 1965 Gibson 270-58 References Cited LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 Us. CL XR.

2,634,972 4/1953 Kelly 270-58 271--56 

